sustaiNYC

Back in December, Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn announced a piece of “Green Cart” legislation that promised to “improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods with greatest need.”

Today, there were dueling demonstrations at City Hall over the proposal, which Gotham Gazette breaks down nicely:

An hour apart, two demonstrations were held on the steps of City Hall: One supporting green cart legislation proposed by the Bloomberg administration and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the other railing against it. The bill, which is slated to come to the council floor on Wednesday, would splatter the city with 1,000 new green cart vendors in hopes of promoting healthy eating habits in impoverished areas.

The bill’s backers originally hoped to sprout 1,500 new permits, but a strong backlash from the supermarket lobby seems to have successfully scaled it back.

While 16 council members have signed onto the legislation, several members - some not so surprising, others a little - have come out against the measure, including Tony Avella, John Liu, Miguel Martinez and Hiram Monserrate.

They oppose the measure because of the potential impact on small businesses. They also claim sufficient educational outreach has not been seeded to guarantee New Yorkers would even pick up more fruits and vegetables when given the choice. They also question the enforcement of the legislation — as in how the city will ensure carts are selling what they are supposed to.

Supporters of the bill argue it would plant healthy options in neighborhoods that have long been barren of tomatoes and apples or green beans and leafy lettuce.

[Originally posted in Gotham Gazette’s The Wonkster blog here.]

Gothamist has a bit of coverage today as well. Let’s hope they find a way to pass this thing, as access to fresh, nutritious food should be accessible to all NYers.